Formula One news - Max Verstappen fastest in final practice, Lewis Hamilton in seventh ahead of Monaco Grand Prix

ByReuters

Updated 22/05/2021 at 11:50 GMT

Max Verstappen, 14 points behind Lewis Hamilton after four races, lapped the tight metal-fenced street circuit with a best time of one minute 11.294 seconds and 0.047 ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Monaco local Charles Leclerc, fastest in Thursday's practice for Ferrari, was third on the timesheets and 0.258 off the Dutch youngster's pace.

Max Verstappen

Image credit: Getty Images

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was fastest in final practice for the showcase Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday with Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton struggling in seventh for Mercedes.

Grid position is critical for Monaco, where overtaking is almost impossible, and Hamilton appeared to be in some difficulty.

The seven-times world champion, winner from pole last time Monaco hosted a race in 2019 and before the Covid-19 pandemic, was 0.726 off the pace.

Formula 1

Verstappen says Hamilton could face 'awkward, weird' last season with Mercedes

15/02/2024 at 23:54

"Unfortunately, it looks to be game over for Mercedes. They just don't have the grip out there and can't get the tyres to work," commented Mercedes' 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg on Sky Sports television.

"They are really up against it. They are stuck, they are in a corner, and I don't have too much hope for them at the moment for qualifying."

Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas was fourth, with Mexican Sergio Perez fifth for Red Bull and Lando Norris sixth for McLaren.

The hour-long session was brought to a close by Mick Schumacher crashing his Haas at the exit to Casino Square.

'Perfect execution from the team' - Hamilton on fascinating F1 footage

The chances of Schumacher's mechanics getting the badly damaged car ready in time for afternoon qualifying looked remote.

"I don't know what to say, I'm very sorry about that," said the German rookie over the team radio.

Canadian Nicholas Latifi had earlier crashed his Williams, bouncing off the kerb and into the barriers and halting the session with 17 minutes to go while the car was removed. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ed Osmond)

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Mercedes and Hamilton admit there is 'Everest to climb' to catch Red Bull next year

27/11/2023 at 09:53

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Verstappen takes pole at season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, Hamilton 11th

26/11/2023 at 00:28

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

'It would never work' – Verstappen doesn't want Hamilton as team-mate

24/11/2023 at 10:16

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me